Piazza San Giovanni
The Cathedral was started in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and completed with the cupola by Brunelleschi in 1436:
- Fresco portraying the horse of Giovanni Acuto by Paolo Uccello (1436);
- Fresco portraying the horse of Nicolò da Tolentino by Andrea del Castagno (1456).
Baptistry: its origin dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries, however it was between the 11th and 13th during the time of the Communal and Republican Government, that it assumed the form which we can still see today.
- North Door: Lorenzo Ghiberti was commissioned in 1401 to make the door panels, which depict scenes from the New Testament;
- East Door or "Gates of Paradise": the panels depict scenes from the Old Testament and where completed in 1434 by Lorenzo Ghiberti;
- South Door: Andrea Pisano was commissioned in 1330 to make the door panels, which depict scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist.
Piazza della Signoria
Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace): started in 1229 and designed by Arnolfo di Cambio:
- small study and treasury of Francesco I.
The Loggia dei Lanzi: from 1380. Holding many important sculptures including Perseus by Cellini (1554) and The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna (1583).
Uffizi Gallery: it is one of the largest art galleries in the world. The original building date back to 1581. Included in its many works are:
- Madonna Ruccellai by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1285);
- Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto (1310);
- Maestà by Cimabue (1280);
- Adoration of the Gentile Wise men by Fabriano (1423);
- Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raffaello (1507);
- The Birth of Venus by Botticelli (1486);
- Annunciation by Simone Martini (1333);
- Pala of St. Lucia of Magnoli by Domenico Veneziano (1445);
- portrait of Federico of Montefeltro by Piero della Francesca (1465);
- Madonna of the long neck by Parmigianino (1534). |
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Ponte Vecchio
Re-built many times, it is the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence, today it is characterised by the jeweller's, which line the sides bridge.
Giardino di Boboli
Situated inside the Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace), it is a typical example of an Italian garden it was designed by Bartolome Ammanati in 1590.
Museo del Bargello
- panels with the scene of the Sacrifice of Isaac designed in 1401 by Ghiberti and by Brunelleschi who took part in the competition held by the Florentine Guild who commissioned the work for the Baptistry's north doors. The competition was won by Ghiberti;
- Earthenware by Giovanni, Andrea and Luca della Robbia (15th - 16th Century);
- David by Donatello (1443);
- David by Verrocchio (1473-1475).
Basilica di Santa Croce
- Frescoes showing the life of St. Francis designed by Giotto after 1317;
- Frescoes showing the life of St. Sylvester designed by Maso di Banco (1340).
Chiesa del Carmine, Cappella Brancacci
- Frescoes showing the life of St. Peter designed by Masaccio (1425)
Campanile: designed by Giotto in 1334. It is 85 metres tall.
Galleria dell'Accademia
- the four "prisioners" by Michelangelo (1504);
- David by Michelangelo (1504).
Convento di San Marco
The monastic cells are decorated with frescoes showing scenes from the life of Christ by Beato Angelico (1387-1455). |
